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I've been messing around with my Broughton PLL, and have some questions/ observations on what other users are doing:
1.) The multiplier and divider switches don't seem to do anything. I assume if they are both to the left, it is the same as both to the right. If I have the switches facing inwards or outwards, I don't notice any difference. thoughts?
2.) The "Preamp" knob is an input signal booster/ reducer. With different basses, I don't notice much of a difference, but I'm sure drum machines, guitars, synths, etc this knob would be more useful. thoughts?
3.) "Waveshape" only affects the square wave signal.
4.) I had a ? on lagtime/ response but don't remember.
5.) The "Loop Speed" switch is critical for super fast and sputtery vs slow and rising/ falling.
6.) For the "drone box" I use an expression pedal and find that it's pretty ho hum. I use a hotone bass press. Any other suggestions?
*X*X*X*X The "Original" for background information X*X*X*X*X
Schumann Electronics PLL
SCHUMANN PLL
The PLL is an analog harmonizer that turns your input signal into a square wave and then has a multiplier and divider that adds intervals to your note.
Two harmony notes are controlled by the loop function which controls how it tracks your original note.
The PLL Multiplier, Divider, Loop controls...
Some comments about the PLL:
it's not easy to explain everything it does but put most simply, it's a square wave generator that's controlled by an input signal (guitar, synth, drum machine, etc). the 'signature' of the sound ultimately lies in the tracking circuit which is of itself an amazing thing. from my experience, most analog tracking circuits of this nature suck (MS20, sherman filterbank2, analogue systems pitch-to-CV) but the PLL gives unprecedented control over how accurately or inaccurately you wish it to track a signal, and can cause wonderfully lively twitches and bumps of the pitch (if you want). and though it can become chaotic, it'll still be in key (or not, if you want). i'd describe the sound it generates as highly shapable harmonic-specific distortion. germanium overdrives act upon the squarewave and it's multiplier and divider to add 'beyond fuzz factory' fuzz. the overall tone depth is determined by the levels of the square wave (root) and harmonics (mult and divider). the post-mix waveshaper does alot to tone-down or amp-up the front egde of the sound after you get your harmonics dialed in. there's still other stuff you can mess with to alter the sound (like playing your instrument) but that's it in a nutshell. -- scott m.
1.) The multiplier and divider switches don't seem to do anything. I assume if they are both to the left, it is the same as both to the right. If I have the switches facing inwards or outwards, I don't notice any difference. thoughts?
2.) The "Preamp" knob is an input signal booster/ reducer. With different basses, I don't notice much of a difference, but I'm sure drum machines, guitars, synths, etc this knob would be more useful. thoughts?
3.) "Waveshape" only affects the square wave signal.
4.) I had a ? on lagtime/ response but don't remember.
5.) The "Loop Speed" switch is critical for super fast and sputtery vs slow and rising/ falling.
6.) For the "drone box" I use an expression pedal and find that it's pretty ho hum. I use a hotone bass press. Any other suggestions?
*X*X*X*X The "Original" for background information X*X*X*X*X
Schumann Electronics PLL
SCHUMANN PLL
The PLL is an analog harmonizer that turns your input signal into a square wave and then has a multiplier and divider that adds intervals to your note.
Two harmony notes are controlled by the loop function which controls how it tracks your original note.
- makes one note into a chord
- make any triad out of one note
- makes it sound like there's someone else playing along with you
- set the loop control to decide how it follows your playing
- the three notes are a three-channel mixer that gets into a master volume
- uses a +12 -12 bipolar power supply
The PLL Multiplier, Divider, Loop controls...
Some comments about the PLL:
it's not easy to explain everything it does but put most simply, it's a square wave generator that's controlled by an input signal (guitar, synth, drum machine, etc). the 'signature' of the sound ultimately lies in the tracking circuit which is of itself an amazing thing. from my experience, most analog tracking circuits of this nature suck (MS20, sherman filterbank2, analogue systems pitch-to-CV) but the PLL gives unprecedented control over how accurately or inaccurately you wish it to track a signal, and can cause wonderfully lively twitches and bumps of the pitch (if you want). and though it can become chaotic, it'll still be in key (or not, if you want). i'd describe the sound it generates as highly shapable harmonic-specific distortion. germanium overdrives act upon the squarewave and it's multiplier and divider to add 'beyond fuzz factory' fuzz. the overall tone depth is determined by the levels of the square wave (root) and harmonics (mult and divider). the post-mix waveshaper does alot to tone-down or amp-up the front egde of the sound after you get your harmonics dialed in. there's still other stuff you can mess with to alter the sound (like playing your instrument) but that's it in a nutshell. -- scott m.
